We're all keeping a tighter watch on our wallets these days and one way I'm trying to make my paychecks last a little longer is to help my hair color last longer between salon visits.

I've tried my hand at home hair coloring and inevitably, I end up back in the hair stylist's chair wearing a baseball cap to cover my new 'do. But I gave it another shot when I heard about Perfect 10 Hair Color (from Nice'nEasy by Clairol). I picked up a box of of Medium Blonde hair color, deliciously named "Ready-Made Cupcake."

The "Perfect 10" name of the product comes from the 10 short minutes needed for the coloring process. You can use the traditional bottle tip to apply the color or use the PerfectColor Comb, which is handy. You'll also get a tube of ColorSeal Intensive Conditioning Creme for six weekly treatments.

I have to admit... I'm enjoying the best, most natural results I've ever had from a home hair color kit. I've already received several compliments!

Now, I do have a caveat: I would NOT recommend coloring your own hair if you'll be a bridesmaid in a wedding UNLESS you've used the same product & color multiple times before with the same success. Even then, I would not suggest that you dye your own hair within the four weeks preceeding the wedding. If -- God forbid -- something goes wrong, you would need time to book an appointment with a professional hair stylist to correct your at-home "hair DON'T."

In the end, if you can swing it, stick with a hair colorist you like. But if you are really trying to build up extra money to cover your upcoming bridesmaid duties, then give it a shot: you might find that you end up looking like a Perfect 10. Or at least an 8.